Implant denture framework

ABSTRACT

An implant denture framework is provided that includes blade type implants, denture support bars, and a locking device.

United States Patent Christenot et al.

[ Sept. 30, 1975 I IMPLANT DENTURE FRAMEWORK 211 Appl. No.: 426,467

[52] US. Cl..... [51] 1nt. Cl. A61C 13/00 [58] Field of Search 32/10 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.641.671 2/1972 Roberts 32/10 A 3.748.739 7/l973 Thibert 32/10 A Primary E.\'uminer-Robert Peshock 5 7 ABSTRACT An implant denture framework is provided that includes blade type implants, denture support bars, and a locking device.

2 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 Of2 3,908,269

FIG. 9.

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,269

age 4% IMPLANT DENTURE FRAMEWORK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to dentures, and more particularly to implant denture frameworks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A denture frame is provided that consists of an implant denture framework with positive locking sectional bars. There is provided posterior and anterior implants as well as denture support bars, and a locking device.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a denture frame that allows insertion of the implant and suturing of the tissues without the impediment of solid bars. The denture frame also allows the use of implants in the posterior areas that will give far greater support then just the end of the denture support bar. The present invention also permits the use of auxiliary implants as the dentist sees fit in any area where the patient has sifficient bone.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a denture frame that is rugged in structure and efficient in use and conducive to the most economical use of members and materials during the formation thereof.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the denture frame of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the denture frame;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view generally taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 with the latch removed;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken through the same;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view with the clip removed;

FIGv 6 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the cover plate for the locking device or latch;

FIG. 7 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the device shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a framentary perspective view of the locking device showing the parts separated for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view illustrating the implant denture framework with a modified or alternative form of locking device;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line12l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts of the device of FIG. 11 separated for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, taken on the line l5l5 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 20 indicates generally a portion of a persons mouth that includes upper and lowerjaws 21 and 22, FIG. 1. The numeral 23 indicates dentures that include the usual artifical teeth 24.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a denture frame that is indicated generally by the numeral 25, and the denture frame 25 includes a support bar 26 as well as locking devices or locking units 27, FIGS. 3 and 10, and each of the locking devices 27 includes a body portion 28. The numeral 29 indicates a front implant blade. The numeral 32 indicates an internal locking clip for the locking device 27, and the numeral 31 indicates a blade that is secured to or formed integral with the locking device 27, FIG. 3. As shown in the drawings the internal clip 32 is provided with locking ears 30 for a purpose to be later disclosed. The numeral 33 indicates a cover plate, and securing elements or projections 34 are provided as shown, the securing elements 34 extending through openings 19 in the cover plate 33. Locking lugs 18 are provided for coaction with the locking ears 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 15 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified or alternative locking device and clip for the denture frame. In FIGS. 11 through 15 the denture frame is indicated generally by the numeral 35 and wherein the numeral 36 indicates a support bar that extends between the locking devices, and an implant blade 37 is secured in place as at 38. As shown in FIG. 15 the blade 37 may be provided with openings or apertures 39 therein. The numeral 40 indicates each of the locking devices for connecting the parts together such as the implant blade 41 to the bar 36, FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 14 the blade 41 has secured thereto or formed integral therewith a body portion 48 that includes sides 42, and the body portion 48 has diamatically opposed recessed sections 43. The numeral 44 indicates a recess or grooved portion in the bar 36. The numeral 45 indicates a spring steel clip that has an inner element or member 47 as well as upwardly extending projections 46. The projections 46 extend through openings 16 in the element 45. The numeral 14 indicates inwardly extending tongues or keepers on the element 45 for selectively engaging recessed shouldered portions 15, FIG. 12.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a denture frame work, and as shown in the drawings a frame or frame work 25 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 can be used for supporting dentures such as the dentures 23 in a highly efficient manner. Or, as shown in FIGS. 11 through 15 the frame unit 35 having a modified locking device 40 can be used for supporting the dentures.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes as desired or required.

In one form of the invention the device includes an internal spring clip device that is reliable and wherein the parts will fit in their proper place. The device is constructed so that the device will be trouble free in actual practice.

There is thus provided a denture frame that consist of an implant denture frame work with positive locking sectional bars. The osseous supported stainless steel denture frame work consists of parts such as two poste rior, endosseous, blade type implants, right and left, to be inserted by means of opening directly into the bone of the ascending ramus and body of the mandible. These implants carry the body and spring steel clip of a locking device that is grooved lengthwise to the dimensions of a denture support bar.

There is further provided one anterior, endosseous, blade type implant with a post extension to a bar that is curved to conform to the curvature of the mandible and to which is attached on either side a locking device and clip that is identical to that on the posterior implant. This implant is inserted into the bone in the anterior centerline of the mandible.

Further, there is provided two denture support bars that extend from the locking device on the posterior implants to the locking device on either side of the anterior implant.

With reference to the posterior implants, these implants are of the blade type, made of a suitable material such as stainless steel with a plurality of window openings. They are made to conform to the angle of the mandible and with variations in size and angle are adaptable to any mandible. A suitable material that can be used is Ticonium 25, which is slightly malleable. This would allow for the shaping and bending of the implant to conform to the mandible and will also allow for bending the bar which extends to the locking device so that the appliance can be aligned in the mouth. The thickness of the implant portion that is entirely seated in the bone should be approximately 1% MM. or less to allow for easy approach and preparation without danger of impingment upon the mandibular nerve. Any greater thickness than above would be unnecessary since the implant needs to be of no greater strength than the bone which supports it.

With reference to the anterior implant, this implant, like the posterior implants, may also be made of Ticonium 25 stainless steel with a fenestrated base curved to conform to the curvature of the anterior bone of the mandible. From this base a post extends upward to a curved bar that carries the anterior locking devices.

Relative to the denture support bars, these bars are also adapted to be made of a suitable material such as Ticonium 25 stainless steel and are approximately 2 mm by 4 mm, slightly curved or rounded on the edges on the top and of sufficient length to extend from the posterior implant locking device to the anterior implant locking device. The end of the bar that fits into the locking device of the posterior implant is preformed to receive the clip of the locking device. A very light identation line is inscribed on the anterior end of the bars and on both sides of the bar to indicate the depth to which the bar must be ground down to receive the clip of the locking device on the anterior implant.

With reference to the locking device, the locking device consists of a body, spring clip, and spacer. The body of the locking device is grooved longitudinally in the centerline from the top to a depth and width to exactly fit the end of a denture support bar. The groove extends from the free end of the body to a point just short of its connection to the bar extension of the blade implant.

Also, in the center of the body and comprising about one half its length there is provided a slot. This slot may be about 1 /2 mm in depth. From this point the sides of the slot extend toward the bottom of the body of the locking device at an angle outward to a point approximately one-half mm from the bottom and one-half mm inward from the sides. The notch extends across the one-half of the body of the locking device from each side to a point just short of the projected edge of the groove to receive the support bar. The spacer fits into the slot and fills it to a depth of approximately one-half mm below the borders of the slot. The spacer has two projections or rivets extending upwardly from the top of it as shown in the drawings.

The spring clip may be made of a suitable material such as stainless steel, as is all the rest of the appliance, and is fashioned to fit over the spacer and completely fill the slot. The projections of the spacer fit through holes in the spring clip and are riveted to the clip, making the spacer and clip a single unit or unitary device.

The implant and the body of the locking device are adapted to be made in one piece or can be welded together to form a single unit. The sectional bars, when ready to place in the mouth, have a notch on either end that exactly fit the notches in the body of both the posterior and. anterior implants. The sectional bars fit down into the longitudinal grooves in the bodies of the locking devices. The spacer fits into the notches of both the sectional bars and the body of the locking device and prevents any anterior or posterior movement. The spring clip locks the spacer into place and prevents its displacement by snapping into the slot on the bottom of the locking device body. In this manner, the appliance will thereby resist movement in any direction, the spacer preventing longitudinal movement, the clip preventing vertical movement, and the longitudinal grooves in the body of the locking device preventing torque.

The following is given as the procedure or method of using the denture frame of the present invention.

First, on a preliminary visit, a complete medical history, x-rays and examination are made of the patient. From the x-rays the size and shape of the implants to be placed is determined and selection of the implants is made.

Second, on a subsequent visit the patient is anesthetized with a local anesthetic. The tissue in the areas where the implants are to be inserted is opened and reflected, including the periosteum, away from the bone. Grooves or channels are cut into the bone to a depth that will allow the insertion of the blade of the implants to a point at least 1 mm below the edge of the bone. The implants are then tried in to check their positioning, and the like.

Next, the bar that supports the body of the locking device on the posterior implants is then bent and formed so that the body of the locking device is directly in line with the midline of the mandible and just clears the tissue. The same procedure is followed with the anterior implant.

Next, the preformed posterior end of a sectional bar is then placed in the longitudinal groove of the posterior locking device and the sectional bar is bent if necessary to exactly align with the longitudinal groove in Next, the bars are returned to the mouth and inserted into the grooves in the body of the locking devices. The exact length of the notch in the anterior locking device is then marked on the sectional bars, the bars are removed from the mouth and a notch is cut into them using the marks as a guide, to a depth of the slight indentation line explained previously. The bars now have a notch on either end that exactly fits the notch in the bodies ofthe locking devices.

The bars are again returned to the mouth and inserted in the grooves in the bodies of the locking devices. Their fit into the notches of the bodies of the locking devices is checked with a gauge of the exact dimensions of the clip and spacer unit but does not lock into place. Any final adjustments are made so that the gauge goes exactly to place and the bars are again removed from the mouth.

The tissue is now readapted and sutured to place over the blade portions of the implants and around the post extensions.

Then, the bars are returned to the mouth for the final time, the clip and spacer unit placed in position and forced into place. The Denture Frame is now in place and ready to receive the denture.

As shown in the drawings the slot in the body of the locking device may be made to exactly receive a cover plate to the inside of which is riveted a spring lock that may be provided with a locking plug for engaging locking ears.

In one form of the invention with the cover plate and spring lock in position, these parts may be placed in the slot of the body of the locking device and then forced downward until the locking lug of the spring lock engage the locking ears of the body of the locking device and actually snapped into place and then the denture bar can be locked into the blade in such a manner as to resist force in any direction so that they can not be removed expect by drilling out the rivets and the cover plate and cutting through the spring lock therebelow.

Some of the advantages of the present invention are as follows. The denture frame with the positive locking sectional bars allows insertion of the implants and suturing of the tissues without the impediment of solid bars. Further, the denture frame allows the use of implants in the posterior areas especially that will give far greater support than just the end of the denture support bar. In addition, the denture frame allows the use of auxilliary implants as deemed advisible by the dentist in any area where the patient has sufficient bone.

As shown in the drawings the only difference between the two forms of the invention is that in FIGS. 1 through there is provided an internal spring clip for locking the sectional bar into place in the body of the locking device, whereas in FIGS. 11 through 15 an external spring clip is provided for the same purpose. Both consists of live parts namely (1) two blade type posterior implants with the body ofa locking device attached. (2) one anterior blade-type implant with an identical body ofa locking device attached to each side of it. (3) two sectional bars extend from the posterior locking device on each side to the locking device on the anterior implant on that side, and are secured into the locking devices by means of the spring clips.

Thus, the use and construction of the several forms of the invention are the same except for the modifications in the body of the locking device to receive the different types of clips. FIGS. 1 through 10 illustrate an internal spring clip that locks into lugs such as the lugs 18 in the body 28 of the locking device.

The use and construction of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 through 15 is generally the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 with the exception of the body of the locking device and the spring clip. In FIGS. 11 through 15 a locking device is adapted to be attached to each end of the anterior implant. In FIG. 15 it will be seen that the sectional bars extend only from the posterior locking device to the anterior locking device. In FIG. 14 the numeral 45 indicates a spring steel clip whereas in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 the numeral 32 indicates a spring clip.

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent the overall concept of the device.

In FIG. 11 there is illustrated an anterior locking device that is similar to the locking device 40 shown in the right of FIG. 11.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be re-,

sorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A denture frame comprising a pair of posterior endosseous blade type implants inserted directly into the bone of the ascending ramus and body of the mandible, the implants being of malleable material and shaped to conform to the angle of the mandible, slots cut in the outer end of each posterior implant, an anterior endosseous blade implant shaped to conform to the curvature of the mandible, slots cut in each end of the anterior implant, a pair of support bars for supporting a denture, the bars being oppositely curved so that each bar will conform to the shape of one side of the mandible, and spring clip locking means cooperating with the slots on both ends of the anterior implant and on the ends of both posterior implants to lock the support bars in place when the support bars are inserted in the slots and therefore extend from the anterior implant to the posterior implant.

2. A denture frame comprising a pair of blade type posterior implants with recesses cut in their outer ends, an anterior blade type implant with a recess cut in each end thereof, a pair of support bars for the denture extending between the posterior and anterior implants and curved to fit the mouth of a wearer, the ends of said support bars resting in the recesses cut in the ends of the posterior and the anterior implants, a groove in each end of the support bars where they fit into the implant recesses, and locking devices to hold each support bar in each implant recess, each locking device being an inverted U-shaped spring steel clip to rest in the groove in the support bar and to encompass the support bar and the implant, the locking device having transversely extending projections on the ends of its legs to lock under the bottom of the implant. 

1. A denture frame comprising a pair of posterior endosseous blade type implants inserted directly into the bone of the ascending ramus and body of the mandible, the implants being of malleable material and shaped to conform to the angle of the mandible, slots cut in the outer end of each posterior implant, an anterior endosseous blade implant shaped to conform to the curvature of the mandible, slots cut in each end of the anterior implant, a pair of support bars for supporting a denture, the bars being oppositely curved so that each bar will conform to the shape of one side of the mandible, and spring clip locking means cooperating with the slots on both ends of the anterior implant and on the ends of both posterior implants to lock the support bars in place when the support bars are inserted in the slots and therefore extend from the anterior implant to the posterior implant.
 2. A denture frame comprising a pair of blade type posterior implants with recesses cut in their outer ends, an anterior blade type implant with a recess cut in each end thereof, a pair of support bars for the denture extending between the posterior and anterior implants and curved to fit the mouth of a wearer, the ends of said support bars resting in the recesses cut in the ends of the posterior and the anterior implants, a groove in each end of the support bars where they fit into the implant recesses, and locking devices to hold each support bar in each implant recess, each locking device being an inverted U-shaped spring steel clip to rest in the groove in the support bar and to encompass the support bar and the implant, the locking device having transversely extending projections on the ends of its legs to lock under the bottom of the implant. 